March 1999

1999 News Month-By-Month

World

U.S. Heats Up Trade Battle with Europe (March 3): Imposes 100% tariff on luxury products and threatens to ban supersonic Concorde from landing in U.S.

Three Americans Slain in Colombia (March 4): Bodies of two women and a man found over border, in Venezuela. They were studying the living conditions of a rainforest Indian tribe. State Department protests to Colombia and calls for arrest of killers.

Oil Producers Agree to Cut Output (March 12): Coalition of major companies agrees to reduce production further in move to stabilize world prices.

U.S. and North Korea Agree on Inspection (March 16): Pact reached after months of negotiations will allow U.S. access to huge underground site of suspected atomic weapons undertaking. North Korea to receive food aid in return.

European Union Leaders Quit (March 16): All 20 executives resign after independent panel accuses group of favoritism and corruption.

Pinochet Arrest Upheld in London (March 24): Law Lords rule that former Chilean dictator must remain in England and face possible extradition to Spain on charges including murder, kidnapping, and torture.

U.S. Plane Goes Down in Yugoslavia (March 27): Pilot of F-117 stealth fighter rescued six hours later. Aircraft is first Allied loss in Balkan conflict.

Thousands of Ethnic Albanians Flee Kosovo (March 30): Villages in Northwest empty as residents threatened with death join 60,000 refugees forced to flee another area a day earlier.

Three G.I.s Captured by Serbs (March 31): Reported missing during patrol of Macedonia's border with Yugoslavia. The three had reported they were surrounded and under fire.

Clinton Pledges Aid for Nicaragua (March 8): Speaking at site of disastrous Oct. 1998 mudslide caused by Hurricane Mitch, President vows help in reclaiming lives and devastated land.

Senate Approves Missile Defense System (March 17): Votes, 97–3, for the prompt building of a network to intercept missiles fired by rogue nations such as North Korea and Iran. (March 18): House, 371–105, votes to support principle of national missile defense system.

Congress Votes for Republican Budget (March 25): House and Senate approve big tax cut and head toward showdown with White House over spending priorities.